We maintain the best listing we can of natural history-related events on Martha’s Vineyard. While we periodically check organizational websites and newspaper calendar sections for events to include here, we’d welcome your help making this part of our website as complete and helpful as possible. Are you or your organization involved in an event that might be of interest to friends of the Martha’s Vineyard Atlas of Life? Please email MVAL program director Matt Pelikan at with details or a web link.
Thanks for your help!
Upcoming Events
FIFth Annual Long Point Bioblitz and “moth ball”
Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. – Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Long Point Wildlife Refuge barn and “winter parking lot,” accessed via Deep Bottom Road.
Help us document and celebrate the biodiversity of this remarkable Trustees of Reservations property. Family-friendly “Moth Ball” kicks off this event at 7:00 p.m. Friday, with caterpillar and moth exhibits, speakers, and bring-your-own refreshments. Insect constumes encouraged! Public blacklighting for moths follows from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
On Saturday, meet at 8:00 a.m. to join a team led by an experienced naturalist, or explore on your own; special events throughout the day on Saturday. All iNaturalist observations made at Long Point during the time frame of the event count toward our final species tally (free iNaturalist account required to submit data); events are free and open to all. Registration is not required, but registering using the button below will help us plan the event and reach you with directions, event details, and updates.
Moth Night: Correllus State Forest
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Correllus State Forest Headquarters, off Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs.
Led my moth expert Paul Goldstein. A summer BiodiversityWorks tradtition, this relaxed public event features an introduction to local moths and conservation, followed by an opportunity to view nocturnal insects attracted to sheets using special lighting. You’ll be surprised to find the diversity of insect life that is active at night! Event is free and open to all; registration is not required to attend, but signing up using the button below will help us plan the event and reach you with updates or weather-related schedule changes.
Fourth Annual Correllus State Forest Bioblitz (2026)
Friday, July 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – Saturday, July 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Join an intensive, community-driven, 24-hour survey of the biodiversity of this incredible conservation property! Event will include special events such as blacklighting for moths and guided nature walks. Anyone with a free iNaturalist account can contribute data: all iNat observations from within Correllus during the time frame of the event will automatically be included in the results. Free and open to all, but we suggest registering using the button below. Registration will help us plan the event and allow us to email you event details, updates, and invitations.
Inter-Island Bioblitz, Martha’s Vineyard vs. Nantucket
5:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.
With bioblitzes — short-term, community-driven surveys of biodiversity — growing in popularity, the time is right for these two rival islands to face off in a contest to see who can produce the most iNaturalist observations and document the most species in a two-week contest at the peak of the season. All you need to participate is a free iNaturalist account; all observations uploaded from either island during the time frame of the event will automatically be included in the appropriate island’s score. Use the buttons below to register for the event (optional, but registering will let us email you details, updates, and results) or join the Vineyard’s bioblitz project for the event (project membership makes it easy to check results and will help us communicate with you about the event). We hope you’ll participate in this friendly competition — help us defend the honor of Martha’s Vineyard!